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Boston City Official Charged with Union-Related Extortion
BOSTON – Kenneth Brissette, 52, the City of Boston’s Director of the Office of Tourism, Sports and Entertainment, was arrested this morning after a federal grand jury indicted him in connection with the extortion of a music festival production company.
Between July and September 2014, while the company was awaiting the issuance of certain permits and approvals required for its music festival, Brissette allegedly insisted that half of the company’s labor force consist of union members, although he ultimately agreed that eight members of Local 11 would suffice.
The indictment alleges that Brissette, and at least one other city official, repeatedly advised the company that it would need to hire members of Local 11 to work at the music festival. The company told Brissette that it had already entered into a contract with a non-union company and hired all of its labor.
As a result of Brissette’s demands, three days before the music festival the company entered into a contract with Local 11 for eight additional laborers and one foreman. Shortly thereafter, the City of Boston issued the necessary permits.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura J. Kaplan and Kristina E. Barclay of Ortiz’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit and Public Corruption Unit, respectively.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Brissette’s arrest and indictment mark the latest in a string of high-profile corruption cases to rock the city of Boston.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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